Report: Haynesworth to start tonight

WASHINGTON – Citing “people in the organization familiar with the situation,” the Washington Post reported Sunday that disgruntled Pro Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth is scheduled to start tonight against the Cowboys at FedEx Field.

Embattled Redskins coach Jim Zorn sent Haynesworth home from practice Friday for undisclosed disciplinary reasons. Haynesworth returned to the Redskins practice facility on Saturday.

Haynesworth arrived about 20 minutes late for a team meeting on Friday. In an interview with The Post that appeared in Saturday’s editions, Haynesworth expressed deep frustration with how he was being used in defensive coordinator Greg Blache’s scheme.

The Post reported that multiple sources told the newspaper that if it were up to Blache, Haynesworth would not start. But owner Dan Snyder gave Haynesworth $41 million guaranteed this past December, a transaction that all but guarantees him remaining in the starting lineup.

Citing multiple sources, the National Football Post – an internet outlet – reported that Haynesworth lobbied his teammates to join him in being late to practice as a way to protest Blache’s scheme. But Haynesworth denied the report via a text message to The Post.

How all this turmoil will affect the Redskins is uncertain. This is Washington’s Super Bowl. They would love nothing more than to spoil the hated Cowboys’ pursuit of a playoff spot. Dallas can clinch a berth today with a win and a Giants loss to Carolina.